A Donegal TD, has today challenged Tánaiste Simon Harris to end the geo-blocking of RTÉ content from viewers in the North ahead of Ireland v Czechia World Cup play-off tonight.
Pearse Doherty TD said it is unfair that Irish citizens in the North will be shut-out from watching Ireland’s biggest international soccer match in years on RTÉ.
Teachta Doherty said:
“It is wrong that so many people in the North who share the same passion and identity may be unable to watch their national team free to air on RTÉ because it is geo-blocked. This is something that government must urgently address.
“The blocking of content on RTÉ from viewers in the North is scandalous and it becomes even sharper during these big national moments. This is Ireland’s biggest international soccer match in years and viewers in the North are locked out from watching it on the national broadcaster.
“Sinn Féin’s Broadcasting (All Ireland Service) Bill 2025 would ensure equal access to services across the whole island of Ireland. Critically, it would require the Government and Coimisiún na Meán to overcome licencing barriers to all-Ireland service in broadcast media.
“The Government must act urgently to end the exclusion of citizens in the North.”